Chinese Entertainment: Academic Director

Chapter 309 Character determines destiny
Cao Yang happened to have something to do at the Beijing Film Academy today, and he didn't expect to run into Wang Baoqiang here.

"Are you Wang Baoqiang, the actor who played Sha Gen in 'A World Without Thieves'?"

Cao Yang pretended not to know Wang Baoqiang and asked with some doubt.

Wang Baoqiang is in a rather awkward situation now. After becoming famous for his role as Sha Gen in "A World Without Thieves", he unexpectedly found it even harder to get roles.

He portrayed the character of Sha Gen too prominently, which is not a good thing for a grassroots actor.

The main reason is that if the director wanted to hire him, he was worried that the audience would be distracted by "Sha Gen" and it would affect the overall viewing experience of the show, so there was no need to take the risk.

Wang Baoqiang himself misjudged the situation, thinking that now that he was "famous," he would definitely be able to get many roles.

So when Kang Honglei, the director of "Soldiers Sortie," invited him, he felt that he was already a film director and refused without hesitation. At this time, film directors naturally "looked down" on television directors.

However, he never received a film director's offer to act in a movie.

Kang Honglei couldn't find an actor who fit his image of "Xu Sanduo," so a few months later, he once again extended an invitation to Wang Baoqiang.

After a period of having no acting opportunities, Wang Baoqiang had no choice but to agree to act in a TV series this time.

The TV series "Soldiers Sortie" has been filmed, but no TV station is willing to buy it, as they are not optimistic about this kind of military-themed series.

Therefore, Wang Baoqiang is still in a state of having no acting jobs.

You can imagine how Wang Baoqiang felt when he received the audition invitation from the production team of "Saintly Lament".

In order to have a successful audition, he waited for Cao Yang at the Beijing Film Academy, hoping to make a good impression on Cao Yang. Of course, it would be best if he could get guidance from Cao Yang.

The greatest show of sincerity he could think of was to wait and wait.

Wang Baoqiang was thrilled to hear that Cao Yang had recognized him.

"Yes, yes, I am Wang Baoqiang."

Wang Baoqiang smiled broadly and extended his hands, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm truly honored that Director Cao recognized me."

Cao Yang reached out and shook hands with Wang Baoqiang, then asked, "Is there something you need?"

"It's something."

Wang Baoqiang habitually scratched his head and said embarrassedly:

"I've been waiting here for two days, just hoping to run into Director Cao. Director Cao, please don't mind, I used to be an extra and spent a lot of time staking out the entrance of the Beijing Film Academy. This time I just wanted to give it a try..."

He glanced at Cao Yang furtively, and seeing no sign of impatience, continued his explanation:
"Here's the thing, I received an audition invitation for your novel 'Pieta'. In order to play this character well, I was thinking of asking you for advice so that I could better understand the character."

Cao Yang sized up Wang Baoqiang. Wang Baoqiang still looked very young and didn't have the ruthlessness he had in "Kung Fu Jungle".

If it were Wang Baoqiang at that time, he would have been perfectly capable of playing the male lead in "Saintly Lament".

"You have a background in martial arts?"

Cao Yang asked.

Wang Baoqiang nodded hurriedly, "Yes, I started learning martial arts at the age of six, and I was a lay disciple at Shaolin Temple for six years, practicing for eight years."

"Have you ever been in a fight since you became an actor?"

Wang Baoqiang was taken aback. How could someone who practices martial arts never have been in a fight?
However, he didn't know what Cao Yang meant, so he didn't dare to answer easily and could only say in a somewhat evasive way, "I have had conflicts with people."

Cao Yang looked at Wang Baoqiang again, thought for a moment and said, "The role you're auditioning for is a gangster, very ruthless and merciless. Go back and think about how you should act in that role."

Wang Baoqiang was stunned again. He hadn't expected to get the information about the role he wanted to audition for so easily, but he was also somewhat disappointed.

Gangsters, ruthless gangsters—they don't sound like the protagonist at all.

Then, he smiled bitterly to himself and cursed himself for being greedy. His famous role, "Shagen," was just a supporting role. How could he expect to play a significant role in a movie co-produced by Director Cao and Director Tian?

"Thank you, Director Cao. Thank you, Director Cao."

Cao Yang was about to leave, but after thinking for a moment, he added, "I recommended you for this role, so do your best."

He wanted to see if Wang Baoqiang, who was so "naive," could really shine after learning that he was the one who recommended him.

However, he wasn't too optimistic. At that time, Wang Baoqiang was both "naive" and, beneath his simple appearance, somewhat mercenary, and hadn't yet developed self-confidence.

Wang Baoqiang was a little dumbfounded. He never expected that such a big director as Director Cao would remember him and recommend him.

"Thank you, Director Cao, thank you, Director Cao..."

He could only keep repeating that sentence.

Cao Yang not only told Wang Baoqiang about the basic requirements for the role, but also said similar things to Duan Yihong, Liu Ye, Zhou Yiwei, and Fu Dalong. He didn't say that this was the main character, but that it would depend on whether the others would take it seriously.

This can be considered a test.

This is especially true for Duan Yihong and Liu Ye. Both are now top-tier actors in mainland China. Based solely on the words "ruthless and merciless gangster," most people would assume they'd be playing supporting roles. Would they be willing to take the part?

All five people came to the audition.

However, the fact that someone came is as good as not coming at all.

Liu Ye came over to Cao Yang and Lao Tian and said directly that he was not there for an audition, but to catch up and apologize.

He explained that he had just finished filming "Curse of the Golden Flower," which was a very rushed production with frequent overtime, leaving him exhausted. He wanted to take a break and therefore did not want to take on any more acting roles for the time being.

Liu Ye has had excellent resources in recent years, including Chen Kaige's "The Promise" and Zhang Yimou's "Curse of the Golden Flower," both of which are top-tier resources in China.

When he called Cao Yang and learned that the role he was auditioning for was a gangster, he lost interest.

The reason I came here today is, of course, to give Cao Yang face.

If Cao Yang hadn't been there, given his personality, he would have at most called Lao Tian to politely decline.

"Director Cao, I hope we can work together again sometime. It's so much easier and more enjoyable to work with you than with Director Chen Kaige or Director Zhang Yimou."

Liu Ye said to Cao Yang with a smile.

Cao Yang was speechless. When are you going to change your big mouth?

It's one thing for us to talk about this in private, but now you're saying it in front of Lao Tian. Doesn't Lao Tian think that you must be tired of filming with him?

What a great guy!
Your emotional intelligence is a real weakness.

No wonder the media often publishes your "golden quotes".

Old Tian was laughing just now, but he's stopped now.

"Alright, let's catch up when we have time. You can either go back first or find a place to wait for me. I have an audition with Director Tian."

Cao Yang waved his hand and started to chase Liu Ye away. If he stayed any longer, who knew what else this guy might say.

"Okay, Director Cao, I'll wait for your call."

After that guy left, Ning Hao chuckled and teased Lao Tian, ​​"Teacher, that guy looks down on you, and he looks down on Director Chen and Director Zhang even more."

"Go away, you talk too much."

Ning Hao still knows how to talk; his interruption made Lao Tian less bothered.

Yes, as everyone knows, Liu Ye is a big mouth with low emotional intelligence. Why bother arguing with him? Didn't you see him directly saying bad things about Lao Chen and Lao Zhang?
"Let's audition."

In the following auditions, they all performed reasonably well.

However, in comparison, Cao Yang believes that Zhou Yiwei performed the worst overall. He doesn't yet have that "thuggish charm" and his performance is only superficial.

Wang Baoqiang did portray the character's bravery and ruthlessness, but his eyes lacked the fierceness he needed. Cao Yang only saw "cleverness," indicating that his acting skills have not yet been honed.

Duan Yihong delivered a consistently solid performance, conveying ruthlessness with expressive eyes.

On the contrary, Fu Dalong's acting style is different from Duan Yihong's; he plays the role more "tough" and more manic.

It all depends on what Lao Tian chooses.

After the audition, Lao Tian asked Cao Yang for his opinion.

Cao Yang didn't hold back, sharing his feelings about the actors and telling Lao Tian that he was the director and that he should choose the actors based on his understanding of the characters.

Old Tian nodded thoughtfully.

As for the female lead, Maggie Cheung considered it for two days before declining Lao Tian's invitation, possibly because she couldn't accept the role of "mother".

Kara Hui traveled all the way from Hong Kong to Beijing to express her willingness to accept the role.

Old Tian did a quick audition and then cast the female lead.

As for the male lead, he needs to think about how he wants to make this movie, what kind of role he needs for the male lead, and then decide which actor to cast.

On August 28, Cao Yang set off for Venice.

It's not that he has a film to participate in the film festival, but rather that the president of the Venice Film Festival, Marco Müller, made an appointment with Cao Yang last year for Cao Yang to be a guest at the opening ceremony of the film festival this year and to give a speech.

Old Ma originally wanted Cao Yang to be the chairman of the judging panel this year, but Cao Yang declined. Old Ma then settled for Cao Yang to be the opening ceremony guest who gave a speech.

Cao Yang couldn't refuse this small request again, so he had no choice but to agree.

Cao Yang also brought along the script for "Saint's Lament," intending to discuss it with Lao Ma later and see what Lao Ma had to say.

(End of this chapter)